A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW | Reviewed by: Crisgee
Only a few months ago, Eric's father was killed by a drunk driver, and Eric feels the loss of his father keenly know that football season has started again. At each practice, he looks for and misses his father who once helped him train. To make matters worse, his coach is replaced by a new, more aggressive coach, and their best player is sidelined. At home Eric dodges his mother's attempts to talk and teases his sister, who is also dealing with her own issues. Determined to stick it out through his final season and keep his contact to females to a minimum, Eric is surprised to discover that the one person he can talk to is Glynnie, another student, who wants to interview him for the school newspaper. This book deals delicately with grief and loss. Eric is trying to deal with the loss of his father and though he is sometimes immature, the author does a good job of developing Eric's character so that he has more depth and compassion, and shows more courage, at the end the of the novel. Football training plays a role, but game play is minimal, so this book can't be classified as a "sports book" but more a coming of age novel.
Jan 18, 2012 | B0051VU34G
5 - Rare Top Pick | 4.5 - Top Pick | 4 - I Liked It | 3.5 - Enjoyable | 3 - OK | 2.5 - It just didn't click
Book Blurb for The Farewell Season
Eric used to think he'd live forever, but not any more. Now football season is about to start, and Eric hopes he can live life normally again after the death of his father through his participation in the sport. He doesn't yet realize that he is angry with his father for dying. Eric's refusal to truly face his grief results in unexpected feelings such as anger at his coach, increased fights with his sister, resentment of added responsibilities in helping his mother, and disillusionment with football. He even gets into a fight with his best friend, Rolf, who never fights anyone. Eric rails against his mother's friendship with his father's business partner, and he's suspicious of the guy in a black pickup who keeps showing up around town. He's also ticked that even his coach seems a little too interested in his mother. It takes a special relationship with Glynnie, a new friend, who is dealing with the divorce of her parents, to see that the only way to get through his grief is by grieving. An inspiring story of friendship, coming of age and football.
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